Renschler to head division of Mercedes

In this Dec. 14, 2012 file photo, new Mercedes SUV's are seen ready for transport in the marshaling lot at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance.

Dusty Compton | Tuscaloosa News

By Patrick RupinskiBusiness Editor

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 11:10 p.m.

Andreas Renschler, the first president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, was named on Thursday chief of Mercedes production and purchasing, effective April 1.

Renschler heads Daimler Trucks and will be succeeded by Wolfgang Bernhard, who will swap jobs with him, under management changes approved by the supervisory board of Mercedes' parent company, Daimler AG.

“The role swap is likely to confirm Bernhard and Renschler as the front-runners to take over from (Daimler Chairman Dieter) Zetsche in three years,” financial services company Morgan Stanley said in a note to investors, according to a report in Automotive News.

Renschler, 54, came to Tuscaloosa in 1993 when Mercedes announced plans to build its first North American auto assembly plant in Vance. He oversaw construction of the plant and its 1997 start-up of production of the M-Class, Mercedes' first sport utility vehicle.

In 1999, he returned to Germany as senior vice president of executive management development and was president of Mercedes Smart car development and production from 1999 to 2004. In October 2004, he was named head of Daimler Trucks, whose brands include Freightliner in the U.S.

Automotive News reported that Renschler's new job overseeing the automotive division will include implementing efficiency measures with a goal of cutting $2.64 billion in spending by next year.

<p>Andreas Renschler, the first president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, was named on Thursday chief of Mercedes production and purchasing, effective April 1.</p><p>Renschler heads Daimler Trucks and will be succeeded by Wolfgang Bernhard, who will swap jobs with him, under management changes approved by the supervisory board of Mercedes' parent company, Daimler AG. </p><p>“The role swap is likely to confirm Bernhard and Renschler as the front-runners to take over from (Daimler Chairman Dieter) Zetsche in three years,” financial services company Morgan Stanley said in a note to investors, according to a report in Automotive News.</p><p>Renschler, 54, came to Tuscaloosa in 1993 when Mercedes announced plans to build its first North American auto assembly plant in Vance. He oversaw construction of the plant and its 1997 start-up of production of the M-Class, Mercedes' first sport utility vehicle.</p><p>In 1999, he returned to Germany as senior vice president of executive management development and was president of Mercedes Smart car development and production from 1999 to 2004. In October 2004, he was named head of Daimler Trucks, whose brands include Freightliner in the U.S.</p><p>Automotive News reported that Renschler's new job overseeing the automotive division will include implementing efficiency measures with a goal of cutting $2.64 billion in spending by next year.</p>